Norwegian immigration officials counted 24,217 border-crossings over the Storskog, Borisoglebsk check-points in November, up from 22,645 in October.

The majority is still Russian citizens, but numbers of Norwegians are on increase since the check-point was opened in June for visa-free travel for locals living less than 30 kilometers from the border. “In November, 4,790 Norwegians crossed at Storskog. Of these, 2,586 made use of the visa-free arrangement,” says head of Storskog check-point, Stein Hansen to BarentsObserver.

With more travelers come more vehicles. And with 9,508 vehicles in November increases the queue. Especially on Saturdays, when Russians are driving to Kirkenes for shopping are the queues at Borisoglebsk check-point on the Russian side of the border long. Russian border authorities are now planning to build a brand new check-point to increase the capacity following the boom in border-crossings. On the Norwegian side, more immigration officers are already in place. Next year, more Customs officials will be employed.

In total, 222,318 border-crossings are counted at the Norwegian, Russian border this year.

Also Russia’s borders to Finnish Lapland experience a boost in traffic. On Monday this week, border-crosser No. 200,000 at Salla check-point was celebrated in a ceremony, reports the portal of the Finnish Border Guards. On her way to the Levi ski resport, Tatiana Kozakova from Murmansk was met with flowers and souvenirs. Her kids got teddy bears.

Normal Saturday morning at Storskog hundreds of cars cross the border into Norway from Russia.

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

Borisoglebsk border check-point on exit from Russia.

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

Ellen Kathrine Hætta is Chief of Police in Eastern Finnmark.

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

Stop for Customs check upon entry to Russia.

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

Entry in to Russia at Borisoglebsk check-point.r

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

Garage for Customs check of trucks and lorries at Borisoglebsk.

Photo: Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver

The distance between the Russian check-point and the Norwegian is some 300 meters.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Børge Brende has asked Russia for an explanation to the high number of asylum seekers coming to Norway via Russia. Syrian refugees that have lived in Russia for a long time, will be stopped on the border and sent back.